It’s really rainy today. I sometimes pretend that rainy season marks the beginning of what I was used to as my winter, in New York. The rainy days are always welcomed here in Manila. But the terrible STORMY days always leave me feeling very prayerful and thankful that my children are safe. Many people do not
Rainy Day Cookie Swaps have to have Rainy Day themed Recipe Cards. Finding an image on the net, I asked my printer to create something that would work in a 4X6 size for our recipes.
Winter in New York means a hiatus from outdoor sports, stews in the crockpots, fresh baked breads and big pots of chili. It means stoking the fire in what used to be my dining room, and planning big family dinners for holidays where there are multiple generations sitting at the table together.
I chose to make a Martha Stewart cookie this year. I made an adjustment of using Black Cocoa instead of Hershey’s which is what the recipe called for. The next time I make them I will stick to the Hershey’s.
Winter also means more quiet time. Watching the first snowfall, hot cocoa with the kids, and preparing for Christmas which is just around the corner. But in New York, Christmas does not come before Halloween or Thanksgiving…and I love both of these holidays equally.
I set a simple table without flowers and kept the cookies as our centerpiece while we had a simple lunch.
Rainy Season here, kinda plays out the same way for me here in Manila. We slow down a bit more, cuddle on the sofa, and take the crock pot out of storage. We serve up some more soups and fresh baked breads and Gia and I also like to bake a lot more. Like for example, on a day like today where school is cancelled we will try and bake some cookies or cupcakes for the lunchbox desserts for the week.
Last month, I was feeling a little bit down. Current events and news had another plane missing, and people were (and still are) being persecuted for their religion. I was overwhelmed with so much hurt that I saw, and I felt like I needed a “pick me up.” Cookies make everyone happy, and with my Cookie Swap group we have often talked about having a Cookie Swap outside of the holiday rush. So I put it to the group if anyone could make it for a rainy season cookie swap and we got a few takers.
I took the time to dig out all my recipe cards. Its fun to see how the cookie swap recipes (and cards) have evolved.
We had a lovely lunch, chatted over the cookies, put aside some cookies for some special people, and left each other with the promise of the Holiday Cookie Swap just around the corner. It was a lovely afternoon, filled with positive people, wholesome energy, and delicious cookies.
Martha Stewart Checkerboard Cookies
Butter Pecan Cookies by Anna Constantino
Thunder Cookies by Lolet Dela Cruz
Melting Moments by Vangie Jaehn
And the WINNER of the Rainy Day Cookie Swap: Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
One thing we did a little differently this year, was prepare extra cookies for The Haven. I think this is something we may incorporate into future Cookie Swaps as well.
Thank you ladies for coming out and sharing your cookie loot and your energy. I would love some of that energy today!